Virgin Media considers opening up broadband network

Virgin Media is considering opening up its broadband network to its rivals, according to reports.

A Guardian report suggested that the company was planning to let its competitors use its fibre optic cables on a wholesale basis.

If the move went ahead, the company owned by Richard Branson would be able to improve its financial position and offer customers better prices.

However, Virgin has denied any plans and said it intends to continue focussing on its current high broadband offerings.

Sources said that the move could be taken in a bid to pre-empt Ofcom from forcing Virgin into ‘unbundling’ its infrastructure, which covers 24% of the UK broadband market, in the same way BT was made to.

Talks of the business move come at the same time as the announcement of a trial of 200Mb broadband – a service that is four times faster than the current service available.